How much exercise is enough for the body?

How much exercise is enough for the body?

How much exercise is enough for the body? Recently, some endurance athletes have revealed that they have had struggles getting pregnant or impregnating. We know that exercise is good for fertility. But what impact will extreme exercise have on your fertility?

Endurance training commonly affects women on their reproductive peak. When women train too hard, especially when it comes to running, the body may stop producing estrogen. Lack of estrogen production may lead to hypothalamic amenorrhea (irregular or absence of periods).

Hypothalamic amenorrhea comes about when the hypothalamus becomes dysfunctional. It is the gland responsible for signaling the pituitary gland, which in turn stimulates hormone production by the ovaries.

Also, females can become victims of the female athlete triad: osteoporosis, amenorrhea, and disordered dieting. Low fat or low BMI then makes a woman vulnerable to amenorrhea and osteoporosis. But it is essential to say that it does not affect every woman the same way. Sometimes a person can have normal BMI but have little fat content in their body, as is the case with some muscular women.

Men may also be affected by extreme training. A study from Sports Med showed that sperm count, low motility, and erectile dysfunction could result from endurance training. The hypothalamus may also be affected, resulting in hormonal imbalances. Other problems may result from head injuries and testicular injuries, which can have adverse effects on sperm production or the pathways. Head traumas may disrupt the communication process between the pituitary glands and the male reproductive system.

To date, there is no direct link between high mileage training and infertility. However, studies showed that a subset of males and females in these high endurance sports had been affected. Also, the more the affected females delayed the pregnancies to focus on their careers, the lower their chances became in their latter years.

Remember that low to moderate exercise is highly recommended for both males and females.